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Cancer research

COVID-19 Pandemic Significantly Reduces Lung Cancer Diagnoses in Romania

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— 1 min read

A significant reduction in new lung cancer diagnoses was observed in Romania during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 72% decrease in diagnoses compared to the pre-pandemic period. A 5-year retrospective study published in the journal Medicina found that the temporal trend of lung cancer diagnosis followed a descending pattern over the study period. The study, conducted by researchers from the Mures County Clinical Hospital, analyzed 750 patients with lung tumors diagnosed between 2018 and 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant 72% reduction in new lung cancer diagnoses during the first year of the pandemic.
  • The temporal trend of lung cancer diagnosis in the study period showed a descending pattern, with a significant decrease in diagnoses during the first year of the pandemic.
  • The study found a slight upward trend in lung cancer diagnoses in the subsequent years after the first year of the pandemic.
  • The sharp decline in the number of lung cancer cases among men narrowed the gender gap in lung cancer patients.
  • The study analyzed 750 patients with lung tumors diagnosed between 2018 and 2022 in the Pathology Department of Mures County Clinical Hospital.
  • The study was conducted by researchers from the Mures County Clinical Hospital, including Georgian-Nicolae Radu, Laura Chinezu, Ramona Teodora Catana, Petre Carabasa, and Adela Nechifor-Boila.

Statistics:

  • 72% reduction in new lung cancer diagnoses during the first year of the pandemic.
  • 750 patients with lung tumors analyzed in the study.
  • 2018-2022: the study period for the analysis of lung cancer diagnoses.
  • 2018-2020: pre-pandemic period for the analysis of lung cancer diagnoses.
  • 2020-2022: pandemic period for the analysis of lung cancer diagnoses.
  • 61% of the patients were men, while 39% were women.

Sources:

  • The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on New Lung Cancer Diagnosis in Mures County, Romania: A 5-Year Retrospective, Comprehensive Study. Medicina, 2025, 61(9):1548.
  • MDPI AG (publisher of Medicina journal) - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/medicina
  • DOI: https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/medicina61091548

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